The Hound of Rowan by Henry Neff

children's, fantasy 1 Minute

One day, Max McDaniels and his Dad visit the art museum to honor Max’s mom who disappeared two years ago. Max wanders off for a moment and sees a strange room. When he goes inside, he is transfixed by a tapestry on the wall that seems to change and move as he looks at it. He thinks he is only inside for a few minutes, but his Dad is furious because he was actually gone for hours. On the way home Max receives a letter that informs him he is a Potential and will be tested tomorrow. But before he can be tested, Max is attacked by something evil. Soon Max is involved in magic and mayhem that he never knew existed. He is offered a place at Rowan Academy where he will learn how to use his powers to eventually help in the fight to defeat evil. Max loves his classes and his roommates, but all if not perfect at Rowan Academy and soon Max will be facing a greater evil than has been seen in centuries. Will he prove up to the task?

This is a great children’s fantasy book. It is reminiscent of Harry Potter without feeling like they are trying to duplicate it. Rowan Academy is given vivid details as are the classes to help make it come alive for the reader. The story is rather vague in this first book, but I think we will learn more about Max and his family in later books. The mythology angle is one that I love and Celtic mythology is fascinating so that was a great addition to the book. The only thing I have to complain about is that now having read and loved the first one I know I will have to wait about a year for the next one. I sometimes feel like I should just wait until an entire series is out to read it, but c’est la vie!

Published by Kate Hall

Kate Hall is the Executive Director of the Northbrook Public Library after serving as Director at the New Lenox Public Library and in various library positions in the Chicagoland area for over 20 years. In her 11 years as a library director, Kate has been in leadership positions in state and national library groups including the American Library Association, Illinois Library Association, and Reaching Across Illinois Library System. She has served on the committee and chaired Director’s University, an intensive training for new Illinois Public Library Directors. Kate is the recipient of the 2021 Illinois Library Association Librarian of the Year Award and has just launched Illinois Libraries Present, a new statewide joint programming cooperative. She is the co-author of The Public Library Director’s Toolkit and The Public Library Director's HR Toolkit published by ALA Editions and the devoted servant of two demanding cats.

Published

6 thoughts on “The Hound of Rowan by Henry Neff”

  1. Thanks for the kind words. Sorry you have to wait until next fall for the second book, but I can promise it will be worth it.

    Happy holidays and best wishes,

    -Henry H. Neff

    Reply

  2. Alright so I replied once to you and replied back and thought that was cool, although it was a long time ago. My computer like blew up on me, and was out of internet for a bit.. anyways back to the book, so i read your from Illinois which asks the burning quests..Cubs or Soxs? You mentioned in the book Max was listening to a Cub’s game with them losing, does this mean your a Cubs or Soxs fan?

    P.S. I too am from Illinois, and am a Cubs fan!!

    Reply
  4. Pingback: The Tapestry 1: The Hound of Rowan by Henry H. Neff « Book Dweeb

  6. I LOVE THIS BOOK. IT IS THE BEST EVER. AND HENRY NEFF IS THE BEST WRITER EVER. I HONESTLY RECOMEND THIS BOOK TO ALL

    Reply

Leave a reply to The Tapestry 1: The Hound of Rowan by Henry H. Neff « Book Dweeb Cancel reply